Ring dressing device



y 5, 1953 J. M. SCOTT 2,637,146

RING DRESSING DEVICE Filed Sept. 5, 1950 2 SHEETS-SHEET l (John M. Jcotl INVENTOR.

#I MKM A TTORNEYJ May 5, 1953 J. M. SCOTT 2,637,146

RING DRESSING DEVICE Filed Sept. 5, 1950 2 SHEETS-SHEET z John M Jcof z" a INVENTOR.

BY {MW e M 92 M Patented May 5, 1953 RING DRESSING DEVICE John M. Scott, Houston, Tex., assignor to Star Engraving Company, Houston, Tex., a corporation of Texas Application September 5, 1950, Serial No. 183,154

3 Claims.

This invention relates to the manufacture of finger rings, and more particularly to the preparation of a ring blank, or shank, to receive and to have integrally secured thereto, a base or setting so that desired ornamentation is had.

In the manufacture of rings of the signet type, it is customary to first provide a flat blank of a length that, when processed into a ring form, there is provided a ring blank of desired size. A portion of the blank is thickened and widened and has such outer configuration that a substantially flat surface is presented to receive the base or setting when the flat blank has been processed to ring form. Such surface is then dressed to assure that it is fiat and this dressing operation is customarily performed by a hand operation that is both slow and inaccurate. The present invention is primarily concerned with, and it is an object of the invention to, provide for mechanically dressing the mount portion of preformed ring blanks so that rings, of the signet type, of high quality and quantity may be produced at low cost.

Another object is to provide a machine tool of the moving abradant type that will prepare preformed ring forms to receive bases or settings to be secured thereto.

It is also an object to provide a machine tool having a holder for ring blanks, such holder being movable along a predetermined line to bring the blanks into engagement with the abradant moving in a direction transversely of the blanks.

A still further object is to provide a holder of novel construction for holding the ring blanks rigid during the dressing operation, but in a manner that the blanks may be readily released after the dressing operation has been completed.

Still another object is to provide a ring holder including means for quickly releasing the ring blank after the dressing operation.

These and other objects will be more fully apparent from the following description, considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through a flat ring blank to be used in producing a finger ring;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view through the blank after it has been processed to provide a ring form, the view showing how a concave portion in the flat blank presents a substantially flat surface in the ring form;

Fig. 3 is similar to Fig. 2 but shows the ring form dressed in accordance with the invention preliminary to aflixing a base or setting thereto;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a ring dressing tool in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the ring post table or ring holder of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the ring post for securely holding the ring forms during the dressing operation and showing the manner of using the alignment assembly to facilitate accurate positioning of ring blanks on the ring post;

Fig. '7 is a sectional view through the ring post on line '|'l of Fig. 5, a ring form or blank being shown in position thereon;

Fig. 7A is similar to Fig. '7 but shows the release rod of the ring post moved to releasing position so that the ring form may be removed from the post;

Fig. 8 is similar to Fig. 7 but shows a modification in which the release rod directly engages the ring form and releases such form for easy removal from the ring post.

In Fig. 1 a ring blank is shown at I, it being understood that such blank is of a length that when processed into ring form it will provide a ring of desired size. a The blank is also of such transverse width, and variations in width, as to provide a ring of the general desired configuration.

The central portion of the blank I is enlarged both in thickness and width at 2 to provide a portion to receive a base or setting. It is to be noted that the nether surface 3 of the blank is flat whereas the upper surface, as shown, is arcuate transversely of the blank as shown at 4. This feature in construction in the blank provides a substantially flat surface 5 when the blank is processed to ring form as shown in Fig. 2. The arrows 6 show the amount by which the metal failed to deform to present a fiat surface during the forming operation. Since, however, the blank I is not, at this stage accurately dimensioned, it is expected that the surface 5 will require dressing to provide a plane surface, as shown at 1 in Fig. 3, to receive a base or setting indicated in dotted outline at 8, such base to be secured in place by silver or gold soldering during subsequent steps in fabrication of the finished ring. Also, the ends 9 and ID of the blank I will be secured together at H by any suitable fusion process as is well known in the art.

As already indicated, the present invention is concerned with providing the plane surface I on the ring blanks. To this end the invention comprehends installing a ring blank I on a supported ring post 33 having a peripheral surface 35 tapered slightly downwardly from top to bottom, and moving the support to bring the ring blank surface into abrading contact with an abrasive machine tool shown in Fig. 4 as a belt grinder [5 having abrasive belt [6 with forward flight H which moves downwardly to present an abrading surface substantially parallel to the surface 5, as indicated by the arrow l8, and which extends about the driving roller [9 which is driven from any suitable prime mover (not shown).

Mounted upon the frame of the machine tool l5 and transversely of the flight ll of the abrasive belt I6 is a work table which includes the bed 2| having longitudinal members 22, 2S and 24 which present guide surfaces for the carriage 25 mounted on the bed. The carriage is provided with ways 26, 27 to slidably receive end portions 28 of the ring post holder or table 29 which supports the tapered ring posts 53. Thus the table may be moved toward and from the abrasive belt [6 so that a ring blank carried by the table -will be positioned to present a surface '5 to the abrading surface of the belt l6 so that the ring blank may be accurately dressed by the forming of a plane surface 1 on the ring parallel to the abrading surface of the belt [6.

It is to be noted that the carriage 25 is provided with an arm 30 and lock screw 3i so that the carriage can be secured at any position along the bed 2|. This enables selective positioning of the ring post table transversely of the abrasive belt IS in order that all portions of the belt can be used by shifting the ring post table to selected confronting positions relative to the belt.

The ring post table is best seen in 5 and comprises abase 32 having at its forward edge a plurality of ring posts 33 each of such ring posts being secured to the base by means of machine screws 34. Attention is directed to the fact that these ring posts are of like construction except that they have a gradation in diameter so that among them all sizes of rings can be accommodated thereon. attention will be directed to a single ring post as shown in Fig. 5 and details thereof shown in Figs. 6, '7, 7A and 8.

Thus, as shown in Fig. 5, since the peripheral surface 35 of the ring post 33 tapers slightiy from top to bottom so that a ring placed thereon, as indicated at I, will move downwardly and tightly engage the post at some point inter mediate its ends, assurance is had that the ring may thus be readily positioned for, and held rigidly in position during, the dressing operation.

To facilitate removal of a ring 1 from its position upon the ring post 33, a rearward segment 36 of the post is cut away, the plane of the out being proximate one side of a bore 31 longitudinally of the post. The segment is movably held in position by means of spring wire retainers 38 positioned in grooves 39 suitably located along the periphery of the post.

A release rod 40., having handle portion 4| thereon, passes downwardly through the bore 3'! and projects through a continuation of the bore in the base plate 32. An arm 42 is secured to the lower end of the release rod is and has an eye 43 on its outer end to receive a hook on one end of a tension spring it. The other end'of the spring is attached to a hook 45 secured to the nether side of the base 32. It seems apparent that this construction is such that the release rod 40 is normally held in a In view of this fact,

predetermined angular position in which the post segment 36 is held in spaced relation relative to the main portion of the post 33. This is the relative position of the parts of the post and the release rod when a ring is placed tightly thereon in dressing position as illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 and '7.

Within the bore 31 in the post 33, the release rod 40 is provided with a flat 46. This flat is so located that it normally extends at substantially right angles to the cleft between the segment 36 and the body portion of the post 33. This feature of construction enables the rod 45 to normally produce a camming action and hence function as a release rod whereby a ring l, tightly wedged upon the post 33 may be readily removed therefrom. For example, ro-- tation of the handle 41 on the release rod causes the flat to move to the position shown in Fig. 7A, whereby the segmentfiili may move inwardly, and the ring I is thereby released for removal.

The ring post 33 has a relief fiat 58 on its forward face which fiat serves primarily to provide a space between the flight I! of the belt 16 and the post when a ring surface '1 is being dressed on one of the adjacent ring posts 33.

It has already been pointed out that the peripheral surface of the posts 33 is slightly tapered so that a ring placed on the post moves into wedging engagement therewith as the ring is slid downwardly upon the post. It has been found that a taper of 1 from the vertical is adequate for this purpose. When this degree of taper is used a ring may readily be positioned upon and moved into proper engagement with the post that no movement of the ring takes place during the dressing operation. Also, the ring is released sufficiently upon manual rotation of the release rod, by means of the handle 4|, that the ring may be readily removed from the post. It is to be understood of course, that the release rod 46 returns to the position shown in Figs. 5, 6 and '7 as soon as the ring is removed from the post. It is also to be understood that the reference to a specific degree of taper is illustrative only and not limitative of the invention.

The relief fiat 48 should extend substantially parallel to the flight ll of the belt l6. This being true, and since the peripheral surface 35 of the ring post 33 is slightly tapered, the work table 26 is tilted slightly relative to the flight ii of the belt [6, whereby the flat 48 on the ring post, and the surface 5 of the ring form i held thereof, are parallel to the flight and the dressed surface '5 will be parallel to the axis of the finished ring.

t is also necessary that the ring be properly positioned angularly upon the ring post 33 so that the dressed surface I will be symmetrical upon the thickened portion 2. To this end the invention comprehends the provision of spaced standards 50, 5! upon the base 32. Arms 52 are pivotally mounted at 53 upon these standards and carry at their outer ends an aligning bar 5 2 which is pivotally mounted upon the arms and is therefore movable into juxtaposition with the surface 5 of a ring positioned upon a ring post 33 preliminary to the dressing operation. ihis enables the operator to accurately position the ring just prior to forcing the ring downwardly into tight wedging engagement with the post.

The construction and operation of the device embodying the invention is believed apparent from the foregoing description. By way of supplementation and a description of the mode of operation, it will be assumed that a ring to have its face 5 dressed will be positioned upon a post 33 of the proper size that the ring may be forced into wedging relation therewith. The arms 52 carrying the aligning bar 54 are then swung forwardly so that the edge of the bar 54 is juxtaposed to the surface 5 of the ring. This enables the operator to accurately position the ring angularly upon the post, whereupon the ring is forced downwardly and is ready for the dressing operation. The ring post table is then pressed forwardly manually so that the surface 5 is brought into engagement with the belt 16 whereupon the desired dressing operation is performed and there is thus provided a flat surface 7, Fig. 3, upon the ring.

Arm ll on the release rod Aid is then moved until the flat 46 moves into position to permit the segment 36 to move forward whereby the ring I may be removed from the post. In this manner the desired dressing operation upon the ring form I is effected.

In Fig. 8 there is shown an alternate construction of the ring post. In this construction the ring post 33 is provided with a groove 55 along its rearward surface. The release rod 29 lies within this groove so that the ring I directly engages the peripheral surface of the rod when a ring is pressed downwardly upon the ring post during a dressing operation. When such operation is completed the release rod is actuated, as above described, whereby the fiat 30 moves outwardly and the ring is released for removal from the ring post.

Broadly the invention comprehends a mechanism for the preparation of a ring blank or shank to receive and to have integrally secured thereto a base or setting to comprise a portion of the finished ring.

What is claimed is:

1. A ring dressing tool comprising, a post of substantially circular cross-section transverse to the axis thereof and having a tapered peripheral surface to wedgingly receive a ring form thereon providing an outer surface to be worked which is eccentric to the axis of said post, there being a longitudinal groove in the surface of said post, a release retractable within said groove but normally having a portion projecting from the groove for engagement with a ring so that a ring may be wedgingly engaged upon the post and said means but released from wedging engagement when said means is retracted, an abrasive belt driven to present a moving abrading surface, and means for moving said post to bring said ring form into contact with said belt to be wedged on said post by the friction of said belt so that said belt may form a surface on said ring substantially parallel to said abrading surface.

2. A ring dressing tool comprising, a post of substantially circular cross-section transverse to the axis thereof and having a tapered peripheral surface to wedgingly receive a ring form thereon providing an outer surface to be worked which is eccentric to the axis of said post, there being a longitudinal groove in the surface of said post, a release comprising means retractable within said groove, said release having a portion projectable outwardly of the groove for engagement with a ring so that said ring may be wedgingly engaged upon the post and said release but released from wedging engagement when said means is retracted, an abrasive belt driven to present a moving abrading surface, and means for moving said post to bring said ring form into contact with said belt to be wedged on said post by the friction of said belt when said second means is in extended position and so that said belt may form a surface on said ring substantially parallel to said abrading surface.

3. A ring dressing tool comprising, a post of substantially circular cross-section transverse to the axis thereof and having a tapered peripheral surface to wedgingly receive a ring form thereon providing an outer surface to be abraded which is eccentric to the axis of said post, there being a. longitudinal groove in the surface of said post, said post including a segment outwardly of said groove providing an arcuate surface to complement the post periphery, a second groove in the inner surface of said segment of a crosssectional area and positioned to complement said first groove to complete a substantially circular cross-sectional area, and a release retractable within said first groove but normally having a portion projecting into said second groove and against said segment to force said segment into engagement with said ring so that said ring may be wedgingly engaged upon the post and said segment but released from wedging engagement when said means is retracted, an abrasive belt driven to present a moving abracling surface, and means for moving said post to bring said ring form into contact with said belt to be wedged on said post by the friction of said belt when said retractable means is in extended position and so that said belt may form a surface on said ring substantially parallel to said abrading surface.

JOHN M. SCOTT.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 249,143 Gottrell Nov. 1, 1881 1,308,610 Townsend July 1, 1919 1,772,082 I-Ioern Aug. 5, 1930 2,388,521 Boyd Nov. 6, 1945 2,462,788 Sutton Feb. 22, 1949 

